Swimming



No. 6I3,6l0. Patented Nov. I898. J. STROUP.

SWIMMING APPLIANCE.

(Application filed Dec. 14, 1897.)

(No Model.)

Ilmrnn 'rarns JACOB STROUP, OF l/VASHOE, IDAHO.

SWIMMING APPLIANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,610, dated November 1, .1898.

Application filed December 14, 1897. Serial No. 661,824. (No model.)

T0 (ti/Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB STROUP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washoe, in the county of Canyon and State of Idaho,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swimming Appliances; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to anovel swimming appliance, the object being the production of a simple device which may be attached to the ankle and foot of a swimmer and which when so attached will be automatically contracted while the foot is being drawn toward the body and will be expanded to securea purchase upon the water when the foot is forced backward in making the stroke.

To the accomplishment of this object the invention consists in providing a curved ankle-plate provided with a stirrup or straps by means of which it may be located upon the rear side of the ankle and with a pair of light metal wings to which are secured webs located in a manner to be-specified.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional view showing the application of my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the device detached, showing the wings open. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the wings closed.

Referring to the numerals on the drawings, 1 indicates a light metal (preferably aluminium) ankle-plate curved to lit the curvature of the ankle, and 2 indicates a stirrup depending from the lower edge of the plate 1 and slightly inclined forwardly.

3 indicates a strap designed to be buckled around the leg to secure the device in place.

4 and 5 indicate what may be termed Wings, consisting of light metal plates curved slightly attheir rear edges to conform to the curvature of the ankle-plate and hinged at their contiguous edges by hinges 6, the lower edges of the wings being inclined, as illustrated.

7, 8, and 9 indicate ribs pivoted to the rear of the ankle-plate just below the wings and extending about even with the latter and designed to retain the main web 10, composed of the wings and the main web, a sort of pocket ,7

calculated to present the greatest possible resistance when the foot is moved backward in making the stroke.

It will be observed that when the swimmer is making the breast stroke, for instance, and is drawing the feet toward the body the Wings and webs Will collapse and will present the least resistance to the movement, but that, on the contrary, when the foot is urged in the opposite direction the resistance of the water will cause the wings and webs to be ex tended and the greatest possible resistance will be afforded and the purchase upon the water will enable the swimmer to make rapid progress with a minimum expenditure of power.

While the foregoing is believed to be an ac curate description of the preferable embodiment of my invention, I do not desire to limit myself to exact structural details herein de-' scribed, but reserve the right to change, modify, or vary them within the scope of the protection prayed.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. In a swimming appliance, the combina= tion of an ankle and foot plate, means for securing the same on the ankle, a pair of wings pivotally secured to the plate, a plurality of ribs pivotally connected with the ankle-plate, and a web secured to the ribs and to the contiguous edges of the wings, substantially as described.

2. The combination with an ankle-plate and hinged wings, of a main web connected to the' contiguous edges of the Wings and secondary webs intermediate of the ankle-plate and wings respectively,substantially as specified.

3. The combination with an ankle-plate and hinged wings provided with inclined lower edges, of a plurality of ribs pivoted to the ankle-plate and located intermediate of the wings and a main web secured to the ribs and to the wings respectively, and secondary webs secured intermediate of the wings and ankle-plate, substantially as specified.

4. The combination With an ankle-plate, a stirrup and securing-straps,of a pair of hinged wings, a main web intermediate of the wings,

1o pivoted ribs secured to said web, and secondary Webs intermediate of the Wings and ankle-plate and located substantially at right angles to the wings when extended substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature I 5 in presence of two Witnesses.

JACOB STROUP. Vitnesses:

BURT VENABLE, C. M. SCOTT. 

